First University Lesson today

[windswept]

And the teacher does NOT show up My daughters lesson was this morning, after waiting 45 mins the teacher still had not shown. I was able to get a phone number for her and contact her. Upon speaking with her, she told me she was in the middle of moving, however, she would be able to come in and give a quick 30 minute lesson. I told the teacher I didn't wish to have the lesson today as it appeared she had a lot going on today. Then I spoke to the director, she said that she was very surprised and she would call her aswell. The director stated she had everything in writing that the lesson was supposed to start today. The director then called me back and told me the teacher had a flight delayed at the airport last night. This is different then what the teacher told me that she was actually moving today.

I am still interested in my daugheter going to learn there but should this change my mind or just chalk it up as a day of mixed signals. Any input is appreciated.

[m1469]

I've sometimes been surprised after an initial impression of people, and I do realize that life is sometimes complicated.  For example, I've a number of times had a student not show up for a supposed very first meeting and it's generally safe to assume that if this happens, there is no interest on their part to have lessons with me, or if that happens and they for some reason DO still want to give it a go (and I give them another chance), it most times winds up being a fairly flaky and unproductive experience.  However, I've one time had this happen and there was not even any excuse beyond them flaking out, as it was a new thing in their lives and they plain forgot.  I gave them another chance and they have ever since (for about 2 years now) been *extremely* respectful, supportive, thoughtful and a very nice (above average) family to work with.  First impressions can be wrong, though you could say that the case I described above is an anomaly in my experience.

However, if it were me as the teacher, I wouldn't expect a person to want to continue with me as, coming from a strictly business standpoint, I could understand why they wouldn't feel they could count on me.  But, I don't know your whole situation and I am just going on my guts and by what you describe.

If we had to make it black and white, which is not exactly how life seems, but sometimes a helpful exercise to aid in gaining clear thoughts, and if we had to place it in a category of only good or bad signs, I wouldn't put it in the category of being a "good sign."  From a business standpoint, that is my opinion (so, not even getting into "ego" or "culture" or whatnot).  And, I can nearly guarantee that if it were the reverse and she had been there but you hadn't, she would not take it as a good sign.

[windswept]

Thank you m1469. And now that I think of it, in fairness to the teacher, the director does seem a bit disorganized.

[m1469]

You had not dealt directly with the teacher, but rather something was scheduled through somebody else without you and the teacher confirming together?  That would change everything for a number of reasons, in my opinion.

I can't say I understand what went on, but I would definitely give the teacher another chance with direct contact and a confirmed understanding with her personally, if that hadn't been the situation before.

[xerula]

When I first studied piano at university, I was the one who didn't turn up to the first lessons, because I stupidly didn't remember being told that all lesson times would be posted on the music dept. notice board - I thought I'd get an email. My teacher was frustrated but understanding, and I was a committed student thereafter. So, let's give your daughter's teacher the benefit of the doubt, and the karmic balance between teachers and students will be restored. 

[keyboardclass]

Are you going to take your daughter to university every day?

[windswept]

m1469, It was my understanding that scheduling would be done through the director. However, I am going to talk to her on Tues about setting up times with the teacher instead.

Keyboardclass, She would be only going 1x's per week at the University as she is only 12, and that's all I can afford for the University at this time.

There is another private teacher that I found not associated with the University that could give 2 hour lessons per week and is more affordable, but a few people recommended the University. I will be honest im not sure what to do and I have no experience to no what a good teacher is

I keep reading "get the best teacher you can afford, then, it comes down to a 45 min lesson once a week is not enough.

She could do 2 hour lessons per week with a private local teacher or one 45 min lesson per week with a University teacher?  Now im back to being confused again  

[m1469]

m1469, It was my understanding that scheduling would be done through the director. However, I am going to talk to her on Tues about setting up times with the teacher instead.

Well, scheduling through somebody else is the first thing I wouldn't trust in this situation.  Aside from the fact that there's often very busy lives going on for everybody involved, and adding a third party can just create that much more of a chance for confusion, along those lines, too, when it comes to people's time and professional lives it is not unheard of for there to be power struggles between those who want or do seem to have control over that (for others).  I'm not saying that's what's going on between director and teacher, but whatever the situation, you don't want to get the short end of the stick because of something which has nothing directly to do with your daughter's progress and improvement.  When I reason through the situations and the communications you've had with them, so far I can't understand what, exactly, the situation is all about.

What I can say is that you don't need to be confused!  I understand why it's confusing, but it doesn't need to be that way.  You want the best thing for your daughter, and ideally, you would like somebody working with her who also wants this, too.  Sometimes a person can be great, but if the environment is not great and overpowers the experience, then that's a problem.  And some advice givers will automatically assume something is best because of personal reasoning that is not truly relevant to your daughter's specific needs.  

While I don't know specifically the types of environments that your daughter would work best in, I can say that to begin with (to help make a decision), you have to shove absolutely everything out of the picture besides how your daughter responds to the individual and the circumstances.  Secondly would be how this develops.  There is nothing wrong with having a lesson or two with each teacher to see what would work best!  And, that is, if a lesson ever materializes to begin with!